University to explore Highlands' cultural links to salmon
- Published
The importance of salmon to people who lived in the Highlands between the 15th and 19th Centuries is to be explored.
The University of the Highlands and Islands has set up a PhD studentship to explore the consumption of the fish, and also customs associated with it.
UHI said health benefits linked to eating salmon appeared to have been recognised throughout history.
It said the Gaelic legend of Fionn Mac Cumhaill makes reference to the "Salmon of Knowledge".
The flesh of the fish would transmit wisdom and power to the person eating it, according to the legend.
The Picts, who lived in north and east Scotland in the 3rd to 9th Centuries AD, carved depictions of salmon into standing stones.
Their reason for doing this has still to be fully understood, said UHI.
It said the research was relevant because of salmon's importance today as a food source and to Scotland's economy.
The PhD post will be based at the university's Dornoch campus.